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I tend to use a fairly light grip on my Morini, A good fitting grip is key to consistency to ensure you pick it up the same each time, I spent a few quid and had a rink made then fitted it over a few weeks of shooting, not cheap or quick but it has made a noticeable different to both my groups and consistancy.

None or very little thumb or little finger pressure, just the two middle fingers against the palm and pad of trigger finger on the trigger. Back when I used to compete in 22 Standard Pistol comps it was common to see shooters with the little finger almost completely off the grip and the tip of the thumb pointing up. Back in the day I only shot at county level but I used to train in the same club as two of the British squad so I picked up a lot of tips from them. Those guys could read a shot target and could point out where you were going wrong i.e. which finger pressure caused what on the target.

Last edited by vbull; 01-12-2017 at 11:55 AM.

Remember, it is the strongest character that God gives the most challenges.

Indeed, 2 middle fingers are for the grip. The pinky and thumb can touch but dont do anything
I use quite a loose grip too. I actually shot 360s ex 400 with my pinky nót touching the grip of my Tau 7; a real sin
If you have one of those Free Pistols, your pistol kinda hangs into the grip; you barely have to grip it.
I also noticed that grip preference may vary per pistol. Especially with springer pistols but can vary with match pistols too

There are basically two things to be aware of here:
The grip itself
The repeatability of holding it.

If you vary where the pressure is being applied, then you vary the natural point of impact. Think about this. Lots of little finger pressure has a lot of leverage on the bore line up and down. Thumb pressure can pust up and down or side to side. Etc etc.

When you shoot when you are hot and sweaty, or cold, or in the club on your own, or at the biggest match of your life with coaches and photographers everywhere, I'm willing to bet you dont grip with same consistency.

So....
You want to adjust the woodwork so that when you squeeze you impart minimal change to the point of aim. So point down range, and try it. Think about what forces are applying where, where does the sight picture go if you ease off the tension slightly. Think what you need to learn, and what can be adjusted to minimise the effect.

Ok a little offf topic, but just saying there is no magic right and wrong answers. The sport is an art not a science.

In general, hold the gun only as tightly as you need to stop it moving when you vary trigger pressure. Remeber, you will be applying at least 500 grams of pull, on a tool which only weighs just over double that, so your grip strength needs to be sufficient to not allow that trigger pull to cause any movement.

I like to use a recoiling springer pistol to aid grip reproducibility - I use a 1948 Diana Model 5, as it is surprisingly accurate, and has a fair bit of recoil.

(A FWB65 with the recoil plate installed would be ideal.)

I grip the Mod. 5 with enough force that the triggering action does not disturb the aim - about the force you would grip a ripe peach in your palm. I also tend to exaggerate the follow through with the recoiling springer.

Oddly, my 10m scores have increased only moderately, but the fliers that afflicted me have now gone, and my scores are more stable.

The above is applicable to me, a distinctly poor pistol shooter, but I would be interested in what skilled pistol shooters do in this area

Thanks for all the comments and advice, I’m now applying a little bit more presssure with the middle two fingers with no side pressure. Beginning to see more consistency between cards and group staying centred... Most of the time

Taking another angle on this, I recently made two adjustments to my grip that have improved my consistency; tightened the palm shelf a little so that the grip has more of a hold on my hand than the other way around, and increased the rake of the grip to get my wrist into more of a 'locked' position.
The weight of the pistol is shared between the top of the middle finger and bottom the wrist, I am continuing to train my thumb to stay out of the action and causing flyers!

How tight?

Having been around International shooting for more years than I want to remember (perhaps I can't remember now!) and I can assure you there is no right way, its what suits you!
I have seen everything at top level from the Gorilla vice grip to the soft holding a very ripe peach grip, and they all work for the person using it.

Thumb pressure can (note only CAN) disturb the hold but not necessarily, if a top level shooter tells you what they think is best its because it works for them, another one will do the opposite, and tell you that's best, and they all will shoot similar scores!

For the record when I shot top level pistol (not now I'm afraid!), I with an air pistol, held firm ish with three fingers, (but no more than holding an egg), but with the thumb relaxed, but the hold was my preference, it does not mean its the best way of doing it, I'd attach a picture of a Korean Girl shooting in a World Cup if I could handle the techy stuff, I'll email it to a couple of you and perhaps you're clever enough to attach it. She has the Gorilla grip and thumb locked down, and its not doing her any harm!

Have Fun
Robin

Walther KK300 Alutec - Barnard 7.62 mm in Dolphin stock (but with Walther grip and wood!). - Keppeler 6 mmBR with Walther grip and wood! I may be a Walther-phile?

I’m now applying a small amount of (straight back) pressure with the middle two fingers, with thumb up, seems to be working.... so far

I found with a very lose grip, I was struggling with the trigger squeeze as it felt I was applying a lot of pressure (almost like taking up the slack in my grip) whereas applying a small amount of pressure as above makes the trigger squeeze easier.

I dont shoot 10 meter air pistol as often as I used to as the arthritis in my hands can make it a painful experience and it also gives me some problems when trying to judge the grip strength as some of the sensitive feed-back feeling is lost, but I did pick up a Steyr LP2 the other day just after I put my rifle down and shot an almost perfect card with it (49 ex 50) - but I was still wearing my rifle shooing jacket !

Maybe having arthritis in the pistol hand and wearing a heavy rifle shooting jacket is an especially good combination?

The rifle jacket is probably illegal in air pistol competitions .....but as far as I know the arthritis is still a legal option

Personally the the grip I use depends on the pistol Im using. Most require a gentle but firm grip with the thumb and little finger being surplus to requirements. Others, like the S.A.M, I hold very gently, almost balanced on my hand. As previously stated - its what suits you. Try different grips until you find the best one.